Toyota Ferrari Truck is Proof the 80s Were Insane
At this point, there are more questions than answers about this Toyota Ferrari truck. But it’s no hack job.
In the 1980s, the mini truck scene was huge, and car shows were packed with rigs sporting crazy paint jobs, hydraulic suspensions, and dancing beds. There were also loads of builds sporting body kits with Ferrari Testarossa-style side strakes, and today, you can see lots of examples on the Truxarossa Facebook page. But as Travis Bell explains in this new video from our friends at VINwiki, the truck in this video is truly special. Because after doing loads of research, he believes it’s a one-of-a-kind custom build.
That said, Bell still has more questions than answers about how this baby came to be — so here’s what we know. The truck started life as a 1985 Toyota SR5 Pickup, and it has every factory option, including a sunroof and cruise control. Under the hood is Toyota’s 22RE four-cylinder, which is mated to a five-speed manual transmission. Sometime after it left the assembly line, it was purchased by the owner of a karate studio, who commissioned the build. The unnamed gentleman tragically died of a stroke in his 30s, and after that, his widow held onto it for a few years.
Eventually, it wound up in the hands of a Florida retiree, who daily drove it before selling it to an RV dealership. And that’s where Bell comes into the picture. After initially lowballing the dealer, he was able to come to an agreement on price, and sent one of his buddies to snag the truck. Once it arrived at his home in Indianapolis, he gave it a thorough inspection — and was amazed at what he found. First off, there were actual Ferrari parts on the truck, including turn signals and emblems.
But more than that, he says the build quality was incredible, with even hidden elements — like the battery box under the bed — showcasing admirable attention to detail.
At this point, the truck is in good enough shape that it doesn’t need a full restoration. But Bell intends to give it a powertrain more in line with its racy looks. What that means is still up in the air, but a couple of ideas have been floated, including both a Lexus V8 and an actual Ferrari engine. Personally, I hope he goes for the Modena mill, and gives it an exhaust that amplifies its glorious wail. I’d also like to see him put on an actual Testarossa side mirror, because that would look fantastic, and given the level of the build, I’m surprised it doesn’t already have one. Watch the video to learn the story — so far — of this killer Toyota truck, and stay tuned for updates on Bell’s plans!
Photos: YouTube
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